Swanky High-Rise’s Sushi Palace Creates a Houston Young Professionals’ Party Paradise

What: Roka Akor first year anniversary celebration benefiting Hermann Park Conservancy’s Urban Green

Where: Roka Akor on the ground floor of the swank high rise 2929 Weslayan

PC Moment: The talents of chef Jason Phan and Roka Akor’s executive chef Ce Bian were on full display as food stations featuring dishes from the Japanese steakhouse, seafood and sushi menu beckoned throughout the chic restaurant. Those hankering for a robata taste treat stepped up to the counter featuring chicken, mushroom, pork belly and ribeye skewers, scallops, and signature Korean-spiced lamb chops with cucumber and smoked eggplant.

The 300-plus guests with more exotic tastes moseyed over to another area for samples of nigiri, sashimi, and maki made with mebachi, hamachi, salmon, dynamite scallop and tuna. And these were just part of the edible entertainments. Even the raffle items had a foodie focus — an omakase for two with wine and sake pairings and a Japanese Wagyu dinner for two with wine pairings.

Guaranteeing a lively evening, DJ Sun kept guests on the dance floor, yes the dance floor. Midway through the party, Roka Akor vice president Sunny Mehra led the kagami biraki ceremony (aka breaking open the lid of a sake cask with a wooden mallet). Sake was served to all!

Eating out: Duyen andMarc Nguyen, Katherine and Chris Whaley, Julie Soefer, Ceron, Tatiana Sorkin, James Sivco, Casey and Ian Tucker, Cristina and Matt Kooker, Oliver Halkowich, Kara Smith, Harper Waters, Connor Walsh, Cindi and Dr. Franklin Rose, Natalie Varnum, and Shavonnah Roberts Schreiber.